Vancouver Announces Single-Night Fireworks Show for B.C. Day Long Weekend
Vancouverites can look forward to a summer fireworks display this year, as the City of Vancouver has set the date for a one-night show following the cancellation of the Celebration of Light fireworks competition. The city-organized event, named Summer Lights, will take place at English Bay on Friday, July 31, marking the start of the B.C. Day long weekend.
The free event is open to all residents and visitors, with no tickets or registration required. In a news release on Tuesday, Mayor Ken Sim expressed enthusiasm for the gathering, stating, “Summer Lights in English Bay is about bringing people together for a spectacular evening in one of Vancouver’s most iconic settings. This is a free, welcoming celebration for residents, families and visitors to enjoy during what will be an extraordinary summer for our city.”
The event was proposed by Mayor Sim after the Celebration of Light organizers announced the cancellation of the long-running fireworks competition due to a lack of funding. In February, city council voted to allocate up to $2 million for the single-night event, a decision that drew criticism given the city’s austerity budget, which included cuts to jobs and services.
Summer Lights will be produced by BrandLive, the same production company behind the Celebration of Light, in coordination with the city, the Vancouver Park Board, and other groups. However, it will be a scaled-down version compared to the former competition. The event will feature food trucks and a smaller rooftop lounge atop the English Bay bathhouse, but there will be no grandstand seating or drone show.
Additional details, including the start time, viewing areas, road closures, and accessibility information, are expected to be released in the coming weeks. For updates, residents are encouraged to follow city announcements as the event approaches.
